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Steve Ward (boxer)
Stephen Ward (born 12 August 1956)[2] is an English former professional boxer, notable for having held the accolade of being the oldest professional boxer in the world.[3] He was first confirmed as such in 2011 at age 54.[4] Born in Nottingham and now living in nearby Mansfield, in 2012 Ward was given a civic reception by the mayor of Nottingham at Nottingham Council House to recognise his achievements.[5] Fighting careerWard boxed as an amateur from 1967–1977.[2] His original professional boxing career lasted from 1977 to 1987. After an industrial accident injured his foot leading to complex regional pain syndrome, he was treated by a Hong Kong surgeon recommended by a fellow martial artist when training at a gym. He then resumed boxing training including running for up to 10 mi (16 km) and made a comeback in 2010 against Gregg Scott-Briggs to win the Midlands Area Cruiserweight belt.[6] He then successfully defended the title against Pete McJob in March 2011.[7] Ward received the 2012 Sportsperson of the Year accolade at Mansfield's Sports Recognition Awards, a local yearly ceremony, in recognition of his world record and EBF title at Cruiserweight.[8] Ward suffered a hand injury on top of the work accident affecting one leg, and became a boxing coach to youngsters.[9] He lost the distinction of world's oldest professional in 2015, when an older fighter, American Mike Palmer, competed in a professional bout, but regained it later that year when he fought professionally at 59,[2] and was described as the oldest active boxer, after losing a fight in the third round against younger Jody Meikle at Chesterfield, attended by a Guinness World Records adjudicator on 12 December.[2] He retired in 2017 after losing the WBC veteran heavyweight championship title to Andreas Sidon.[10][11] In 2019, The Champ of Champs, a documentary film was produced featuring Ward's long involvement in boxing and fight-back against serious injury.[12][13][14] In late 2020, Ward confirmed plans to fight again in 2021 against Jimmy Lloyd, in an attempt to gain a new world record, in a new sector called Gold Division, and claim a fourth Guinness World Record as the world's oldest boxer.[15] In January 2021, the fight, a veteran’s version of the world championship, was announced for May, before Ward's 65th birthday.[14] References
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